Fire-fighting equipment

ABSTRACT

The object of the invention is to provide a new fire-fighting equipment which in a simple manner eliminates the risk for premature blocking and which enables numerous applications. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a spray head (5) intended for a high driving pressure is mounted in a holder (3) fastened in a floor (1), with a shield (8) above the spray head, on floor level, when the equipment is in a state of rest. Upon activation of the equipment the spray head rises up under the influence of the extinguishing liquid and removes the shield (8).

The present invention relates to a fire-fighting equipment with a numberof means for spraying extinguishing liquid, at least a part of saidmeans being, in inactive state, covered by a shield.

In the patent publications U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,714,989, 4,066,129,4,508,175, 4,880,063 and 4,976,320 are described conventionl lowpressure sprinklers, which mainly for esthetical reasons are providedwith a cover on ceiling level. The respective cover is kept in place bymeans of a soldered joint, which shall melt while the temperature, aftera fire has started, rises to the activating temperature of thesprinkler.

The object of the invention is to provide a new fire-fighting equipmentwhich is of a simple structure and enables a plurality of advantageousapplications.

The fire-fighting equipment according to the invention is mainlycharacterized in

that the means for spraying extinguishing liquid are spray heads capableof operating with a high drive pressure, preferably producingconcentrated fog sprays with strong penetration power, and

that the respective shield is arranged, upon activation of therespective spray head, to be removed by the action of the extinguishingliquid.

By a high drive pressure, i.e. operating pressure, is in this contextmeant a pressure which is considerably higher than ordinary water pipepressure of 6-7 bar. A limit value is difficult to present, butpreferably an operating pressure of at least 100 bar, often up to near300 bar, is employed. Upon activating the spray head, the extinguishingliquid can be made to exert, directly or indirectly, a very great forceupon the shield in front of the spray head, so that the shield isremoved in spite of firm mounting, e.g. by means of a form fittingand/or a press fitting, or a great holding load from the outside. Byemploying a liquid under high pressure for removing the shield of thespray head is achieved, in addition, that the shield is not shot offlike a projectile in spite of a great removing force.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention at least one of said sprayheads provided with a shield is movably mounted in such a way in aholder fastened in a floor that the spray head, upon activation, islifted up by the liquid pressure and removes the shield arranged infront of the spray head, whereat the spray head preferably is arrangedto be lifted up to such an extent that the nozzles of the spray headrise a little higher than the surface of the floor.

Concentrated fog sprays with a strong power of penetration can beachieved by constructing the nozzles of the spray head and by arrangingthem mutually in accordance to what is presented in the Finnish patentapplications 913059, 914704 and 915078 in such a way that the fog spraysof the individual nozzles grip into each other and produce aconcentrating suction. Necessary access to suction air is secured by thespray head rising a little above the floor, so that air can flow in fromthe space between the nozzles and the floor.

As will appear further on in the description, the spray head and itsholder in the floor can be brought to interact like a hydrauliccylinder, whereat is obtained such a great lifting force on the coveringshield or cover that it is lifted up even if a wheel of a loaded truckstood on the cover, which may be the case on a vehicle deck in a ship.

Location in a floor is a good solution for purely technicalfire-fighting reasons as well, partly because fire often breaks out onfloor level and partly because a water fog sprayed upwards is wellspread and is airborne for a relatively long time before falling down onthe floor, which brings about a good cooling effect.

If an automatic fire-fighting system is to be installed later in alreadycompleted buildings or ships, ceiling installation work is connectedwith great difficulties, among other things because ceiling structuresoften are light, with a limited capability of enduring mechanical loads.

Floor structures are steady, which facilitates the installation work.General accessability is, further, considerably better than in ceilingstructures.

In computer rooms and the like there are often cable channels andventilation channels under the floor, in which channels a fire may causegreat damage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention at least onespray head is arranged to spray liquid into one or a plurality of suchchannels. This application can be developed to spray extinguishingliquid into an underlying room.

Some kinds of fire, e.g. oil fires, develop such a smoke that the outletaperture of a nozzle can be blocked by soot before activation of theequipment, so that the nozzle will be out of function.

In addition, there are objects liable to catch fire, such as friteusesfor pommes frites, from which during normal operation rise fat and othervapours, which may block a nozzle placed above.

For such objects it is suggested to provide a cover in the individualnozzle apertures of the respective spray head.

A plate-like cover of metal or plastics in front of the outlet apertureof the spray head can be rather steadily fastened by means of a formfitting and/or a press fitting; if the diameter of the cover is e.g. 10mm and the operating pressure of the sprinkler is about 100 bar, oneobtains a force of about 80 kp, which presses out the cover withoutshooting it off like a projectile, however.

In the following the invention shall be described with reference toexemplifying embodiments shown in the attached drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment, when the equipment is in state of rest.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, in activated state.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment, when the equipment is in activatedstate.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment, in activated state.

FIG. 5 shows an individual nozzle.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 1 designates a floor with a wearsurface 2. 3 designates a holder firmly fastened in the floor, with afastening flange 4 in level with the surface 2 of the floor.

In the holder 3 is slidably mounted a spray head 5 with a number ofnozzles 6, which can be activated to spray water sprays, preferably inthe form of a water fog with small drops and under a high pressure. Anozzle structure suitable for the purpose is described in the Finnishpatent application 913059.

The nozzles 6 are preferably arranged in such a way with respect to eachother that their fog sprays so to speak grip into each other and producea concentrated fog spray having a strong penetration power, as isdescribed in the Finnish patent applications 914704 and 915078.

The reference numeral 7 designates an inlet connection for a water pipe,8 designates a shield or a cover in level with the fastening flange 4. Astopper ring supported from above in the wall of the holder 3 isindicated by 9. This ring restricts the movement of the housing 5upwards by interaction with to a shoulder 10 in the spray head.

The reference numeral 11 designates a liquid distributing space in thespray head, from which space 11 extinguishing liquid passes out to thedifferent nozzles 6 upon activation of the spray head. A gap between thelower part of the spray head 5 and the holder 3 is indicated by 12.

In FIG. 1 the spray head is in a state of rest pressed into the holder 3against the bottom thereof and with the cover 8 in place above the sprayhead.

Upon activation of the spray head, after a fire has been established,extinguishing liquid under a high pressure is flowing from the inlet 7to the distribution space 11; the liquid pressure acts through the gap12 and the whole inner cross section of the holder 3 and drives thespray head 5 upwards with a great force, like a hydraulic cylinder wherethe inner space 13 of the holder constitutes the cylinder chamber andthe spray head 5 the piston, whereat the cover 8 is lifted away by thespray head 5, which is laid free for spraying extinguishing liquidupwards. Between the spray head 5 and the inner wall of the holder 3 isarranged a seal 14.

FIG. 2 shows the activated state of the spray head, the nozzles 6preferably being so much above the floor surface 2 and the flange 4 thatair necessary for producing concentrated strong fog sprays can be suckedin from the sides on the floor level, under the level of the nozzles 6.

In FIG. 3 which shows an alternative embodiment in activated state, thereference numerals 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9 indicate the same as in the FIGS.1 and 2. The spray head 35 differs from the spray head 5 in the FIGS. 1and 2 mainly by a top nozzle 6.

To the bottom part of the holder 33 are connected a water hose or pipe36 and a preferably hydraulically or pneumatically operable controlvalve 37, which enables individual activation of the spray head 35 byswitching on a pressurized extinguishing liquid through the pipe 36. Inthe embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as in the embodiment ofFIG. 4, which is to be described in the following, activation is thoughtto take place in common for a plurality of spray heads in a suitablemanner, the provision of which per se does not cause any difficulty fora person skilled in the art, for which reason hoses, operation meansetc. have not been drawn in these figures.

In principle the embodiment of FIG. 3 operates all in accordance to theembodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 4 which shows still another alternative embodiment in activatedstate, the reference numerals 2, 6 and 8 designate a floor surface, thenozzles of the spray head and a cover, respectively, as earlier. Thespray head 45 is similar to 35 in FIG. 3.

In the bottom part of the holder 43 are arranged a number of nozzles 46,generally directed downwards, and a liquid inlet 47. The referencenumeral 48 designates the channel through which the water supply piperuns to the inlet 47.

In computer rooms, for instance, it is of advantage to place necessary,often extensive cable bundles into the same channel 48. Upon activationof the spray head 45, in principle all in the same manner as in theembodiments of the FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, extinguishing liquid, preferably inthe form of a water fog similar to the one produced by the nozzles 6,will be sprayed into the channel 48. Hereby is ensured that the firedoes not spread through the channel 48 and is not capable of damagingcables placed in the channel either.

FIG. 5 shows an application of the invention, which preferably can beused in connection with individual objects liable to catch fire, e.g.friteuses for pommes frites.

In FIG. 5, the reference numeral 50 designates a nozzle intended tospread liquid in the form of fog-like drop formation. For that purposethe liquid should be in a strong whirling motion in the space 51 beforethe outlet aperture 52 of the nozzle 50, which can be brought about bymeans of a whirler 53 abutting the housing of the nozzle 50, saidwhirler being provided with at least one preferably oblique groove 54for the liquid coming in from a supply channel 55 through a disk filter56, preferably a sintered metal filter, to a ring space 57 locatedbetween the housing of the nozzle and the whirler 53, from which ringspace 57 grooves 54 lead to the whirl space 51. The high pressure liquidflowing through the grooves 54 sets the whirler 53 in rapid rotation.

In the nozzle seat is formed an annular stop against which the sinterfilter 56 bears acted upon by the nozzle housing, which is fastened inthe spray head housing 58 by means of a thread 59 and presses the nozzle50 against the whirler 53 and further via an elastic seal, preferably inthe form of an O-ring 60, against the sinter filter 56 against said stopin the spray head housing 58.

A sealed abutment between the annular stop of the housing 58 and thefilter 56 as well as between the annular stop of the housing 58 abuttingthe flange 61 of the nozzle body can be obtained thanks to the elasticseal member 60, which automatically compensates for tolerance deviationsconcerning said stops of the housing 58 in relation to the filter 58 andthe flange 61 and, in addition, keeps the whole connection tight andenables a relatively loose, i.e. unsealed, mounting of the filter 56 ona pin 62 of the whirler 53.

The flange 61 of the nozzle body has a spread aperture of generallyconical form but is preferably outmost provided with a cylindrical part,into which a shield 63 can be fitted, suitably in the form of a metalplate or a plastic plate.

The shield 63 can, before fitting into the spread aperture, have thegeneral form of a calotte plate, which can be driven in e.g. by means ofa hammer and a mandrel, so that the inner edge 64 of the plate 63 bitesinto the material of the nozzle holder 5 and ensures a tight fitting.

As long as the spray head is inactivated, the shield 63 sits reliably asa plug in front of the outlet aperture 53 of the nozzle 50 and preventsblocking of the same and damages in general. Upon activation of thespray head, the extinguishing liquid under high pressure presses theshield out.

I claim:
 1. Fire-fighting equipment having a number of spray heads forspraying extinguishing liquid, at least a part of said spray headsbeing, in inactive state, covered by a shield, whereby said spray headsare of the type capable of operating with a high drive pressure,preferably producing concentrated fog sprays with strong penetrationpower, the respective shield being arranged, upon activation of therespective spray head, to be removed by the action of the extinguishingliquid, and at least one of said spray heads provided with a shieldbeing movably mounted in a holder fastened in a floor in such a mannerthat said at least one spray head upon activation is lifed up by theextinguishing liquid thus removing the shield provided in front of saidat least one spray head.
 2. Fire-fighting equipment according to claim1, whereby said at least one spray head is arranged to be lifted up tosuch an extent that the nozzles of said at least one spray head rise alittle higher than the surface of the floor.
 3. Fire-fighting equipmentaccording to claim 1, wherein the respective spray head and therespective holder are arranged to cooperate like a hydraulic cylinder.4. Fire-fighting equipment according to claim 1, wherein the holder hasat least one nozzle for spraying liquid into a cable channel or the likelocated under the floor.
 5. Fire-fighting equipment comprising:a sprayhead (5) having a number of nozzles (6) for spraying extinguishingliquid in an active state; a holder (3) for recessing the spray headbelow a top of the holder in an inactive state when the nozzles are notspraying the extinguishing liquid, whereby the holder can be recessed ina floor with the top at the floor; shield means (8) on the top of theholder for covering at least a part of the spray head in the inactivestate and removal by action of the extinguishing liquid in the activestate; and moving means (13, 14) movably mounting the spray head forlifting up the spray head relative to the holder with the extinguishingliquid in the active state.
 6. Fire-fighting equipment according toclaim 5, wherein the lifting up lifts the spray head to such an extentthat at least some of the nozzles rise higher than the top of thehousing and, thereby, the floor when the top of the holder is thereat.7. Fire-fighting equipment according to claim 5, wherein the movingmeans comprises arrangement of the spray head and the holder forcooperation like a hydraulic piston and cylinder.
 8. Fire-fightingequipment according to claim 6, wherein the moving means comprisesarrangement of the spray head and the holder for cooperation like ahydraulic piston and cylinder.
 9. Fire-fighting equipment according toclaim 5, and further comprising at least one nozzle in the holder forspraying the extinguishing liquid into a cable channel or the likelocated under the floor when the holder is recessed in the floor. 10.Fire-fighting equipment according to claim 6, and further comprising atleast one nozzle in the holder for spraying the extinguishing liquidinto a cable channel or the like located under the floor when the holderis recessed in the floor.
 11. Fire-fighting equipment according to claim7, and further comprising at least one nozzle in the holder for sprayingthe extinguishing liquid into a cable channel or the like located underthe floor when the holder is recessed in the floor.
 12. Fire-fightingequipment according to claim 8, and further comprising at least onenozzle in the holder for spraying the extinguishing liquid into a cablechannel or the like located under the floor when the holder is recessedin the floor.